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Important Information About Nurse  Practitioners  

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have received additional education and clinical experience in a specialty area.

What service do they provide?

A nurse practitioner provides primary health care services, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. They are skilled in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases for children and adults. Nurse practitioners may work individually or in collaboration with a variety of health care providers to diagnose and manage their patient's health care needs.

Their services include:

  • Physical examinations
  • Diagnosis and treatment of common health problems
  • Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests
  • Counseling
  • Teaching health principles and facts, including preventative healthcare

Specialty areas include:

  • Family/adult health care
  • Women's health/OB-GYN
  • Geriatrics
  • Pediatrics/neonatal
  • Psychiatric/mental health
  • Occupational health

Who regulates their practice?

Nurse practitioners practice under the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act of the state in which they work. Most nurse practitioners are also nationally certified in their specialty areas by the American Nurses Association. In most states, nurse practitioners have the authority to prescribe medication.

Will my insurance cover fees for nurse practitioner service?

Many insurance programs and HMO organizations pay for their services. The type of insurance you have will determine what services are covered. Some health services are not reimbursable regardless of whether they are provided by a nurse practitioner or a physician.

Reasons many people prefer nurse practitioner services

Nurse Practitioners: ...take a "whole person" approach to health care, viewing each patient as a physical, emotional and social person, not merely a collection of symptoms.

...are interested in people and their lives, not just their illnesses.

...take time to listen to their patient's concerns and answer their questions.

...teach people how to take care of themselves, to avoid practices that contribute to poor health and to use health care services effectively.

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